Street Legal Golf Cart
 

Does a street legal golf cart have to stay in the "car" lane or can it legally ride in the golf cart lane.

Today a "street legal golf cart" decided to stay in the car lane on Bailey Trail--if the idiot would have looked in his rear view mirror, he would have seen 30 cars creeping behind him @ 22 mph

Oh, he could see behind him because his mirror was obstructed by a lot of junk on top of his golf gear

Technically street legal not allowed in golf cart lane. Some will move over and allow cars to pass but they are subject to a ticket if caught and the officer is inclined to ticket them. They are considered cars. Why is he an idiot?

He could have moved over, but he had the right to remain in the car lane. The speeds on those streets are 30 mph. and many folks exceed that. It's what another person said...a street legal isn't really supposed to be in the diamond paths but some will move over to let cars/trucks pass. IF they do drive in the golf path, they're to go the 20mph speed however.

He should be going 26-27mph if he is street legal Probably texting!

Today I was northbound on Morse at Pinellas roundabout in front of the fire station waiting to enter the circle when a golf cart came right out of pinellas halfway around the circle and onto Moyer Loop. I looked at him as he passed, he was going about 25 and had no plate on the back of his cart. I had to think, how should he had gone, that would of been to turn north just before the Pinellas gate onto the MMP and go about 100 yards or so, turn right and go through the tunnel under Morse and then turn right and go south on the MMP past the driving range and enter Moyer Loop. He was able to accomplish all that in about 15 seconds shooting around the traffic circle at 25 mph with his direct route.

I was headed to Colony, so I turned onto Moyer in hopes of catching him and letting him know, one of these days a big truck or SUV is not going to see him as he shoots around the traffic circle and take him out. I almost didn't see him because your brain is not accustomed to seeing a golf cart going around the traffic circle at a high rate of speed with cars in front and behind, he's either very smart and knows what did or very stupid because he doesn't know he did. Anyway, I wasn't able to catch up with him, he was really moving. So if you own a fairly new yellow golf cart with clubs on the back and probably played golf today, you messed up.

Cite the Law, Please
 

Street Legal golf carts are not considered cars. Perhaps you meant "motor vehicles," but that term includes golf carts.

Street Legal golf carts are Low Speed Vehicles (LSV.) They can operate on any road where the speed limit is 35 mph or less. They are permitted to travel faster than the 20 mph limit on golf carts (up to 25 mph), and must be licensed, insured and have certain specified safety equipment.

I know of no prohibition on them operating as golf carts, and going where golf carts can go, provided that they do not exceed the 20 mph speed limit of golf carts.

If you can cite a specific Florida state law to the contrary, I would appreciate being enlightened.


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John W, My guess is that the yellow cart knew exactly what he was doing and that it was illegal. It was dangerous even if the cart was street legal.

Good point on the cars terminology Carl. If I remember correctly the deputy that stopped my friend when he was being nice and driving in the golf cart/bike lane stated it was an ordinance of Sumter County rather than the Florida Statues. He let him go when we assured him we didn't just change lanes to gain an advantage, meaning passing stopped cars on the right when they were waiting to make a left turn.

I guess it may be easier if someone can find the statue or ordinance prohibiting autos, trucks or motorcycles from driving in the golf cart lane.

George

More research
 

I'm still at a loss to understand the situation. You are correct that Sumter County does not recognize LSVs as golf carts.

But, your new information makes it sound like the deputy stopped your friend for moving from the main automobile lane into the golf cart lane and passing on the right when there was a back up of stopped cars. Technically, this would not be illegal since it is legal to pass in this manner so long as you don't drive off of the paved portion of the road.

I don't know of a law that prohibits an automobile (or LSV) from briefly moving into the "golf cart lane" of a paved road in order to pass on the right when the main traveled lane is stopped because of a car about to make a left turn.

If I get an opportunity I'll approach a deputy and get more information.

I always wondered why anybody felt it was necessary to have a street legal golf cart.Why would you want to be competing with cars and trucks? I see these carts on Buena Vista and right beside the road there is a golf cart path which is much safer to travel on.Maybe that's why the above poster referred to them as "idiots."

Death wish--is 5 mph worth playing with the big boys in the fast lane+ the extra insurance negates the cost benefit of owning a golf cart--mileage wise

I dont understand all the angst with street legal golf carts, and no, I don't have one, nor would I want the extra fees associated with operating one for the limited advantage they might offer. That being said, street legal golf carts, in my opinion, are no more dangerous than non street legals. As someone who frequently drives in the cart lane on Hillsborough, Pinellas, Hendry, etc., I have just as much chance of being crushed by passing concrete trucks, landscape vehicles, SUV's, etc. To think that operating a cart on Buena Vista or Morse subjects cart operators to more hazards is just not true.

Let's see, the average weight of a golf cart is around 600 lbs. The average weight of a landscapers big pick up, maybe 6,000 to 7,000 lbs. With the trailer add another 1,200 lbs. Two golf carts running into each other at something less then 20mph. Seems to be maybe survivable. A pick up weighing at 8,000 lbs. hitting a 600 lb. golf cart at 30 mph. There would seem to be a pretty ugly likely outcome. To each their own.

Very true, but Im not aware of any houses that have a driveway onto the MMP's. Fact is, you eventually have to share a road with big trucks, cars, and everything in between.

Thank you--gatherer 47--some people just like to push the envelope, or maybe its a death wish